Hollow strand terminal



Dec. 20, 1938. E. o. wAHLsTRoM HoLLow STRAND TERMINAL Filed April 24, 195e Patented ee. 26, 93@

- HOLLOW S Y l maar.

Application April 24, i936, Serial No. 76,256

4 Claims.

This invention relates to hollow or tubular strands, such as hollow conductors of the .type used in the transmission of high-voltage electricity, one of the objects being to join lengths of such strands together in a secure but easy manner. Other objects may be inferred from the following disclosure of a specic example of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation of this example.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the details shown by Figure 2 and illustrating the results obtained.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of Figure 3.

The above show the end portion of a hollow strand l, a sleeve 2 having an inside 2a that tapers toward its ends to diameters substantially the same as the outside diameter of the strand l; a plug 3 adapted to t inside of the strand Iv, and a tool d having an end @e adapted to be attached to the outside of the sleeve 2 and having a guideway 5b leading centrally toward the latter and which is provided with a breech mechanism de adapted to re .a suitable ball cartridge 5 down the same and intothe plug 3 when the sleeve 2 is positioned over the .outside and when the plug Vis positionedv inside of the end portion of the strand L More specifically, the sleeve 2 may have external threads 2b and the endd of the' tool ci may be internally threaded as vat 6d, whereby these two may be screwed together. The plug 3 may be solid but is preferably longitudinally split and provided with a centering recess 3B which aids in the initial penetration of the ball of the cartridge 5. Also, the outside of the plug 3 and the inside of the sleeve 2 may be respectively provided with teeth 3b and 2, these teeth bei coming embedded in the strand l when the plug.

is expanded by the ball from the cartridge 5 so as to force the strand into continuous contact with the' inside ofthe sleeve 2.in the mannerA illustrated by Figure 3.

'Ihe cartridge 5 has been described as being a ball cartridge, this terminology being 'used to indicate that the cartridge is not merely a blank.

Actually, the ball of this cartridge is in the form same by the expander 5a.

ply of a plug that is screwed into this end of the tool 4 so that it maybe removed to provide for the insertion of the cartridge 5, and which is provided with a ring pin BK. Firing of the cartridge may be eiected by striking the externally protruding end of the ring pin 5g with a hammer. It will be noted that the tool is constructed along relatively massive lines, this being both in the interests of safety and to provide a relatively large mass whose inertia will absorb most of the recoil resulting when theu tool is used.

Returning to the sleeve 2, it will be noted that this element is provided ,with a recess 2d, and the plug 3 is provided with a flange 3C that fits in this recess 2d. This serves to properly position the plug 3 in the end of the strand and to prevent it from being driven further into the It is also to be noted that when the tool l is removed after having performed its function that the external threads 2b onY the sleeve 2, now rmly attached to the stra-nd l, may be used to function as a connecting means when the strand is placed in service. Ihis may be'done by providing an 'internally threaded coupling 5 that is of sufficient length to be screwed completely over the exteriorly threaded ends of both the sleeve being described and another that has been similarly applied to 'another length of strand.

Although not previously mentioned, it is to be understood that the Vexpander 5a fired into the plug 3 by ring of the cartridge 5 remainsin the plug and is not extracted. Therefore, the end of the strand is provided with what is in eiect a solid integral unit, the extreme pressures created by the penetration of the p in expander being suicient to cold forge the various units together. The cartridge 5 carries a suicie'nt charge to propel the pin expander at such an extreme Velocity as to elect the desired penetration int the plug 3.

Because of the great force available resulting from the manner of the insertion of the plug 5 the present invention provides for the application of end fittings not only to hollow strands but to wire ropes as well. In cases where the rope is `provided with a hemp core, a portion' of this able to deflect the steel core and thus secure expansion by the plug. Other types" of strands may also be accommodated.

` I claim:

1. The combination of a tubular strand, a

sleeve having an inside that tapers towards its ends and in which the end portion of said strand is positioned, and a. plug forged inside said end portion of said strand and forcing the outside of the same into substantially continuous contact with said inside of said sleeve.

2. The combination of a tubular strand, a sleeve having an inside that tapers towards its ends and in which the end portion oi said strand is positioned, and a -plug forged inside said end portion of said strand and forcing the outside of the same into substantially continuous contact with said inside of said sleeve, the latter having teeth which are embedded in said outside of said end portion oi said strand.

3. The combination oi' a tubular strand; a sleeve having an inside that tapers f :1 l.: its ends and in which the end portion of said strand is positioned, a plug inside said end portion of sleeve.

4. The combination voi' a tubular strand, a sleeve having an inside that tapers towards its end and in which the end portion of said strand is positioned, a plug inside said end portion of said strand and an expander forged into said plug and expanding the same and thus expanding said strand. theoutside` of the latter being forged into continuons contact with said inside .of said sleeve, said plug and said inside of said sleeve having teeth which are embedded in the inside and said outside oi' said end portion or said strand.

EVALD O. WAHLSTROM. 

